Public questions Patin's new job as rec supervisor

Ridgecrest residents cried foul at Wednesday's city council meeting over a recent stretch of events that led to an appointment to the vacant parks and recreation post.

By Jack BarnwellCITY EDITORjbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Ridgecrest residents cried foul at Wednesday's city council meeting over a recent stretch of events that led to an appointment to the vacant parks and recreation post.

Residents questioned the selection of former Councilman Jason Patin as the interim recreational supervisor only days after he resigned from his council seat on Aug. 9.

Resident Ronald Porter cited that it gave the impression of impropriety because the two moves came so quickly in succession of each other.

"I'm not here to point fingers," Porter said. "But there is not a doubt in mind that this was a pre-selection."

Porter said that the position should have at least been broadcast to give qualified applicants an opportunity.

"This is a bad, bad mark on the city," Porter said. "It should not be allowed to stand. It is bad politics."

City Attorney Keith Lemieux informed Porter and others in attendance about the recent appointment of Patin to the recreation supervisor position.

"This attention was brought to my attention as it was happening," Lemieux said. He said that if "any city council member used his position to get a city job" while still in office, it would violate California law.

City Manager Dennis Speer made the announcement of Patin as Interim Recreation Supervisor on Monday. Speer stated that it is intention to keep the empty parks and recreation director position vacant for the foreseeable future.

Lemieux said that Patin had not informed the city manager until after resigning. He added that he had spoken with the former councilman about the position and advised to resign.

"The councilman never approached the city manager, and never lobbied him for the position," Lemieux said. "This appointment is only done on an emergency basis. I talked to the city manager and believed him when he said he was not approached by Mr. Patin."

Lemieux said that since Patin's appointment was on an interim basis, the city is seeking a full time replacement, with the process complete in six months.

Porter was no satisfied with the response, again citing it did not speak well of the city's current bruised reputation.

"Six months in the position will give Mr. Patin an advantage over other applicants," he said. "It is not fair."

Residents Al Huey and Christina Witt echoed similar concerns.

"It was no surprise that this was where Mr. Patin was heading," Huey said.

Instead it was the short span of time between Patin's resignation and being hired for the job that raised red flags.

"The appearance of propriety reeks from this appearance," Huey said. "You see how that can give some in the public pause to wonder."

Witt shared similar views.

"Imagine from the public view that when he gets the new job three days after resigning," Witt said. "It seems like there was no time in which this deal was above board."

In previous interviews with The Daily Independent, Patin stated that he had resigned on Aug. 9, and had not spoken with Speer until Aug. 12, and had not been offered the job until later that week.

(This version corrects the print version citing that Jason Patin resigned on Aug. 16.)